The Mica Children

In India, the mica mining industry is marked by severe human rights violations, particularly the widespread use of child labor. The country is the largest producer of mica globally, with significant mining activities concentrated in the impoverished states of Jharkhand and Bihar. It is estimated that around 22,000 children, some as young as four, work in hazardous conditions in these mines, often forced to drop out of school to support their families. The work is perilous; children navigate narrow tunnels to extract mica, exposing themselves to respiratory illnesses and the risk of mine collapses. Despite efforts by the Indian government to regulate mica mining and eliminate child labor, illegal operations continue to thrive due to high demand from industries such as cosmetics and automotive manufacturing in countries like Germany. The profits from mica mining are substantial, but local families receive minimal compensation for their labor, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and exploitation. Advocacy groups are pushing for stronger regulations and corporate accountability to ensure that mica sourced from India does not involve child labor, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change in the industry.